Notes About The Poem

 

1st in Pick a Title, Vol. 53 (Sponsor: Edward Ibeh)

Judged: July 19th, 2025

In the Mouth of Desire

in the mouth of desire, inverted spires
lean toward the grots of Hell.
tongues forked, skewered with sapphires
in the mouth of desire, inverted spires.
Adam's apple burning cores, as moths for martyrdom's fires.
on the path to perdition: many had attended well. 
in the mouth of desire, manipulation stirs.
the crone fanning her cauldron 
a hot vat of ruin, Wiccan shrieks and whirs.
in the mouth of desire, manipulation stirs - 
a warlock's cherished heart of burrs,
tears of crocodiles, his every gentleness abandoned.
in the mouth of desire, sirens sweet, curses 
lure purple wearers and weavers, beasts with saints,
low_down to the broad gates, gilt black, swinging purses.
in the mouth of desire, sirens' sweet curses 
but wisdom's rare jewels, bereft in their verses.
for want of wisdom, man's sovereign will faints.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Rodrigues Avatar
July 19, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Adam's apple burning cores…unique wording… Congrats on top win!
Layne Avatar
July 20, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Thanks Kim!
Ibeh Avatar
July 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Trina, heartiest congratulations on your top win in my contest with this brilliant poem full of striking lines and vivid imagery. You nailed the "In The Mouth of Desire" theme. Great job!
Layne Avatar
July 20, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Appreciated Edward. It was a peculiar prompt. It piqued my interest right away. Glad you enjoyed it.
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